Genotype
An individual’s collection of genes
Locus
The specific place on a chromosome where a gene is located
Autosome
Any one of the 22 pairs of chromosomes shared by both males and females
Sex chromosome
The 23rd chromosome pair containing the genes that determine biological sex characteristics of females and males
DNA
Deoxyribonucleic acid, the fundamental chemical of all genes that guide the construction of cells
Phenotype
The observable characteristics of an individual
Dominant
The quality of an allele that influences the expression of a trait
Recessive
An allele that can only influence the expression of a trait in the absence of a dominant allele
Gamete
A male or female cell that contains 23 chromosomes in their singular form
Ovum
A female gamete containing 22 autosomes and 1 sex chromosome
Sperm cell
A male gamete containing 22 and 1 sex (X or Y) chromosome
Zygote
A fertilized ovum, in which the male and female gametes have united in one cell
Meiosis
The process by which cells containing 23 pairs of chromosomes divide into daughter cells containing one-half of each chromosome pair
Mitosis
The process by which cells create an exact copy of themselves, including all 23 pairs of chromosomes
Blastocyst
A multicellular organism that results from the continuous division of the original zygote - eventually differentiating into the embryo and its support system
Miscarriage
The unexpected death and delivery of the embryo or fetus before the 20th week of pregnancy
Cephalocaudal pattern
A pattern of physical growth that proceeds from the head down through the long axis of the body
Proximodistal pattern
A pattern of physical growth that proceeds from the center of the body through the appendages
Organogenesis
The early development and differentiation of the internal organs such as the lungs, heart, and gastrointestinal systems
Placenta
A short lived, multifunctional organ that passes nutrients from the mothers blood to the embryo
Umbilical cord
A vein filled cord that connects the embryo to the placenta
Plasticity
The potential for systematic change within a person
Sensitive period
An interval of heightened plasticity, when environmental influences are most efficient at affecting an organisms development
Critical period
A finite window of opportunity for development, outside of which environmental influences are said to have no effect
Teratogen
An environmental agent that can adversely affect prenatal development and can have long-lasting effects on subsequent development
Neural tube
In the developing embryo, the precursor to the central nervous system
Mutation
An abnormality that occurs during genetic transmission and may affect the entire chromosome or specific genes
Autosomal recessive trait
A trait that requires the presence of both paternal and material genes for the phenotypes to be expressed
Autosomal dominant trait
A trait that requires the presence of only one parental gene for the phenotype to be expressed
Sex-linked gene
A gene located on one of the sex chromosomes
Midwifery model of care
A woman-centered model or maternity care based on the fact that pregnancy and birth are normal, inherently healthy life processes
Medical model of care
A comparatively new model of maternity care guided by the belief that pregnancy and birth are inherently dangerous life processes that must be medically managed
Informed Consent
The process of requesting that research participants assert in writing that they understand the study, know that they can withdraw at any time, and agree to participate
Amniocentesis
The process of removing fluid from the amniotic sac or a pregnant woman and surveying the genome under a microscope
Coparenting
The extent to which parents are supportive of one another’s parenting
Cervix
A powerful ring of muscles that keeps the uterus tightly shut during pregnancy but then thins and opens during labor
Bloody show
A plug of thick, blood-tinged mucus that is discharges from the cervix shortly before labor begins
Birth doula
A specifically trained birth companion, who provides physical, emotional, and informational support during labor, birth, and the immediate postpartum
Infant mortality rate
The ratio of deaths per 1000 live births
Epidural
A local anesthetic injected into the lower back to numb labor pain
Episiotomy
A surgical cut in the muscles that surround the vagina in order to enlarge the vaginal opening
Electronic fetal monitoring
A technology for monitoring the heart rate of a fetus with electrodes attached to the mothers abdomen or placed internally on the scalp of the fetus
Apgar scale
A scoring system that assesses the health of newborns based on five key areas: activity and muscle tone, heart rate, reflexes, skin color, and respiration
Low birth rate
Birth weight of less than 2500 g
Preterm
Born earlier than their full gestational period, usually less than 37 weeks
Small for gestational age
Birth weight of less than 5lb and 8 oz for an infant with a gestational age that is normal (37+ weeks)
Very low birth weight
Birth weight of less than 1500 g
Postpartum depression
Clinical depressive symptoms such as apathy, sadness, and detachment associated with late pregnancy and the period of time following the birth of an infant
Postpartum doula
A specially trained advisor and helped who provides physical, emotional, and informational support to women and their families during the postpartum period